Just got back from a killer 4th of July weekend in Michigan, taking in as much sun and fresh air as possible. In Waterford, everyone has a lake in their back yard, the mosquitos are always hungry, and spirits couldn’t be higher with the semi-legal status of Miss Mary Jane. Here are some recent photos I captured, paired with the hottest, freshest tunes I could find to score the weekend’s festivities.

Motor City Drum Ensemble – L.O.V.E. – L.O.V.E. (single)

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Impeccable. Untouchable. These are a couple of words that come to mind when listening to the new single from Motor City Drum Ensemble. Danilo Plessow is known for being reserved in the frequency of his releases, taking time to perfect his groove and ensuring the shelf life of his productions far outlive the more disposable releases surrounding them. The vocal works well enough here, even sounding more modern and contemporary than some of the previous sample-based stuff from his Raw Cuts series.

Homework – Raw Beats – Rally Racquet Club

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Homework has been living the good life this summer, and I couldn’t be happier for them. Their newest EP, Rally Racquet Club, is right up there with the material that drew us in earlier in the year. The samples are as lively as the hazy, hushed vocals, and the track evolves with emotion and personality, avoiding becoming repetitious like the title track (enjoyable in it’s own right).

Floating Points – Farukx – Marilyn

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Just when I found myself asking where the F&%$ the next Floating Points release is at for the 500th time, we finally get something to chew on. It’s hearty and delicious on both sides of the plate, the title track blares and moans like the trumpet of Miles Davis, while this tantalizing B-side brings a meandering two-step banger to the table. The temptation to sway to and fro while this track is playing has been scientifically proven to be impossible to resist. So stop trying to resist the power of the universe and bounce.

Martyn & Mike Slott – All Nights – Collabs Series

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I just ran into Mike Slott at the Alpha Pup Low End show at Knitting Factory last weekend, where Shigeto, Shlohmo and Samiyam burned the building down Triangle sweatshop style. Little did I know that night as I slurred and swung about in his company, he and Martyn just had released some collaborative material, including this rare 4-on-the-floor tip beat. Cool to see collaborative experimentation going on, extra-comfort-zone exploration, and deep dub excavation on tap from these cats.